Or maybe some other exercise? Doesn't have to be outside.

I turn away from the computer, stare around at my room for a bit, then look back at the screen and the cursed little blinky thingy. Then I get up and have a string cheese Because I Do. And then usually staring around various rooms in my house helps, I dunno why. Although, thing is, I haven't had a chance to be in your situation, 'cos the worst writer's block I got was for some random crap story for English class that wasn't even worth much anyway. Um. Yeah.

*being completely unhelpful*

Uni essays, for example, tend to be a case of "just write SOMETHING" and, indeed, a deadline tends to motivate me, but depending on what class it's for, sometimes I have the entire thing done weeks in advance; if I enjoy the subject. (Amusingly, I wrote an essay for English a few weeks ago that I didn't like, only to have my tutor ask if they could have a copy to use as an example of an A quality essay!)

My current personal battle with Writer's Block isn't academic at all, though - I'm stuck on a scene for my Stardust fanfic. I've been stuck on this scene for about two months. If I could, I would go and work on a later scene - and I'm sorely tempted to try anyway - but my usual writing style is a very steady flow from one scene to the next, and writing out of order can completely ruin that. So I avoid it, if I can.

And yes, there's a deadline for this, too - of sorts. It's self-imposed and Guilt (which also deserves its capital) is constantly tormenting me; when I first started writing, I updated every second week or so. Now it's been months. I don't ever want to be one of those authors who just fizzles out and is never heard from, but it's so HARD. *sniffle*

Sorry, I ramble. For you, Crystal, I think what the others have said before me will help as much as anything I can say; a good outline helps a great deal, and personally, if I don't know what to write I just start, randomly, anywhere, and write and write and let it start flowing. Usually I get to some sort of sensible result which can then be edited and reshaped into the outline.

Also, as you've said, this is a draft. Don't panic too much; it's not your final version.

...I found the best way to get past writers block was to write out first the rough outline of the thesis, i.e. all the chapter headings. Then under each chapter heading I wrote out the subheadings, so for my Geological Setting chapter I had subheadings 'Location of Field Area', 'Geological History' 'Lithostratigaphy' etc. Then under each subheading there may have been yet another set of subheadings, and then finally I wrote out bullet points of what needed to be said in each section. Then even if it wasn't in prose yet, I had down exactly what needed to be in each place. And often looking at the list of bullet points brought up some inspiration.

I find that energy drinks are incredibly helpful when trying to write past a wall. (tea, sometimes, too.) I don't know why, but they do something to my mind-- especially Monster, with ginseng extract. You kind of have to force yourself to stay sitting and writing, though: then all the energy comes out that way. Given, it takes a bit of editing afterwards, but it's worth it.

Also, classical music can help, a lot. Or not necessarily classical, but something without lyrics; lyrical music is often way too easy to sing along with, and not write at all, which is... well, bad.

Good luck!

I write at night. I usually find I'm not motivated during the day, but when it hits around 8pm-9pm, I can churn out words like nobody's business. I'll even go to 2am if I'm on a roll. Basically, once I get started at night, there's nearly no stopping me. Doesn't guarantee the highest quality, but I've never gotten lower than a B+ off of it.

I find that my mother shouting at me to finish that paper or else is very helpful. Also, writing the end first.

If you have any music that reminds you of your topic, listening to that can help. (Perhaps Young Frankenstein? It's science-y.)

If I had Writer's Block I'd usually end up waiting until it was a Write or Fail situation; it is amazing how quick I'd get an essay done if my grade for the class was on the line. I'd get the three pages out in about an hour, including time for picking out evidence from the book (and occasionally rereading the book) and proofreading the essay.

But I don't think that'd work for your thesis draft.

I also split it into several bits. If I get stuck on one section, I jump to the next, and the next and the next, until I reach the end. By that time, I've got more ideas about the beginning. Hope this helps!

First, I spend about an hour staring blankly at the computer screen (why this is important, I don't know, but it appears to be part of my de-Writer's Blocking).
Second, I treat myself to a bunch of chocolate and tell myself it's okay, I'm not a failure.
Once I'm bloated on chocolate, I return to my computer and write something else for a while, generally something that is so terribly written I'd be ashamed to show my face anywhere were it to get out somehow.
Then, I just go back to whatever it was I was working on and usually my Writer's Block is gone. I have no idea why. I hope it works for you. The masters thesis is a nasty one. Good luck, sounds like an interesting thesis.

Helen of Pylos